a See attachment F for Non GAAP Reconciliation

QWEST REPORTS BREAKTHROUGH FIRST QUARTER RESULTS; EPS POSITIVE; MARGIN EXPANSION; IMPROVED YEAR-OVER-YEAR REVENUE

Positive Earnings Per Share Adjusted EBITDA Margin Advances to 30.7 Percenta Fourth Consecutive Quarter of Year-Over-Year Revenue Improvement Free Cash Flowa -- Before Anticipated, One Time Items -- On Track

DENVER, May 3, 2006 — Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today reported solid first quarter results highlighted by positive earnings per share, revenue growth, and continued margin expansion. For the quarter, Qwest reported earnings of $88 million, or $0.05 per fully diluted share, compared with $57 million, or $0.03 per share in the first quarter 2005, which included a $257 million, or $0.14 per share, gain on the sale of wireless assets. “Qwest has started the year with strong momentum, posting both solid operating and financial performance for the first quarter and achieving important operating milestones resulting in positive earnings per share,” said Richard C. Notebaert, Qwest chairman and CEO. Financial Results Qwest’s first quarter revenue of $3.5 billion increased 0.8 percent compared to the first quarter a year ago. Revenue trends improved as a result of strong sales within Qwest’s portfolio of mass market bundles and growth products, including high-speed Internet, advanced data products, long distance and wireless.

Unaudited (in millions, except per share amounts)

Q1 2006

Q4 2005 Seq.

Change

Q1 2005 Y over Y Change

Operating Revenues $3,476 $3,480 (0.1)% $3,449 0.8% Net Income (Loss) 88 (528) nm 57 54.4% Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Share 0.05 (0.28) nm 0.03 66.7%

2

“Revenue growth, improved ARPU and continued cost containment have resulted in a 200 basis point improvement first quarter over first quarter in our adjusted EBITDA moving the margin to 31 percent,” said Oren G. Shaffer, Qwest vice chairman and CFO. Qwest’s operating expenses declined 4 percent to $3.1 billion for the first quarter of 2006 over the first quarter of 2005 as a result of improvement in productivity and operating efficiencies, optimization initiatives in facility costs and lower depreciation. Capital Spending, Cash Flow and Interest First quarter capital expenditures totaled $390 million, compared to $313 million in the first quarter of 2005, with a continued increase in the proportion spent on broadband, enabling higher speeds and footprint expansion. Capital spending in 2006 is expected to be at or slightly above 2005 levels as the company continues to focus in a disciplined fashion on investment in key growth areas and to support the highest service levels. Free cash flow benefited from improved operating results, offset by anticipated seasonal and one-time items in the quarter. Cash generated from operations was $140 million in the first quarter, which includes a one-time previously announced payment of $100 million for shareholder litigation, as well as $250 million related to employee bonuses and payroll timing. Qwest continues to expect to grow free cash flow by an incremental $450 to $600 million in 2006 (before one-time payments), benefiting primarily from improved operating results and reduced interest expense. Interest expense totaled $296 million for the first quarter compared to $381 million in the year-ago quarter. As a result of successfully tendering for and retiring high coupon legacy debt in the fourth quarter of last year, interest expense is expected to be reduced by approximately $300 million in 2006. Balance Sheet Update The company ended the quarter with total debt of $15.4 billion, a decline of $1.9 billion compared with the first quarter a year ago, and $740 million in cash and short-term investments. Operational Highlights Qwest’s improved revenue trends included operational progress in the following key growth areas: Customer Connections Qwest’s customer connections – which include consumer and small-business primary and secondary access lines, high-speed Internet subscribers, wireless and video customers – grew 253,000 from the year-ago quarter, marking the third sequential quarterly increase. Customer connections were up over 330,000 since new bundling and localized sales initiatives began in May 2005. Total retail line losses improved to a decline of 4.2 percent year-over-year, compared to a decline of 5.3 percent a year ago, excluding 53,000 UUnet and affiliate disconnects in

3

the prior year. Continued and anticipated pressure from the decline in the number of access lines resold by Qwest’s competitors offset the improvement. As a result, total switched access lines declined 4.8 percent from a year ago, excluding the disconnects referenced above. Qwest maintained its leadership role in working with wholesale customers by signing commercially negotiated agreements on the company’s Qwest Platform Plus contracts. However, wholesale line losses continued from competitive pressures and technology substitution. High-Speed Internet Growing demand for Qwest High-Speed Internet was a highlight for the quarter. The company added 198,000 high-speed Internet lines in the first quarter, which includes 18,000 subscribers added in previous periods but not recognized in prior subscriber counts. The company benefited from strong demand, particularly in the conversion of customers from dial-up to broadband, as well as reduced churn. These record net additions brings the total subscribers to 1.7 million – a 13 percent increase sequentially and a 50 percent increase year-over-year. The company’s mass markets data and Internet revenues increased 11 percent sequentially and 34 percent year-over-year. The company sees a significant potential revenue opportunity by increasing the current broadband penetration to industry benchmark levels. Qwest continued to invest in its high-speed Internet footprint, as well as increase the speeds available to customers. Currently, 78 percent of Qwest’s households are eligible for broadband services, up from approximately 67 percent at the end of 2004. About 98 percent of qualified households are able to purchase broadband speeds of 1.5 Mbps or greater and more than 50 percent are able to purchase service at speeds in excess of 3.0 Mbps. In addition to its focus on availability and speeds, Qwest was able to increase retention by devoting attention to the customer service and support experience. In the quarter, Qwest announced a new home and small-business modem-based wireless networking solution that included availability of extended around-the-clock customer support and service. The solution delivers customers a second layer of security, as well as a selection of applications, including remote access and content control options. Bundles Qwest has been rewarded for its aggressive focus on bundle packaging and sales. Since the launch of new bundles a year ago, followed by targeted incentives and promotional initiatives, the company has significantly increased the number of products available in its bundled offerings. Sales of voice packages plus three products are up over 100 percent, and sales of packages plus four products are up nearly seven times since launch. Customer demand for value-added services has contributed to increased consumer average monthly revenue per wireline customer by 6 percent to $49 from $46 a year ago.

4

Qwest’s full-featured bundled offering includes high-speed Internet access, a national wireless offering, local and long-distance service and integrated TV services through Qwest’s own ChoiceTV or its marketing alliance with DIRECTV, Inc. The company’s bundle penetration increased to 53 percent in the quarter, compared to 47 percent a year ago. In-Region Long-Distance Long-distance penetration of total retail lines increased to 38 percent in the first quarter, compared to 34 percent a year ago. Qwest increased total long-distance lines by 46,000 in the quarter. The company ended the quarter with more than 4.8 million long-distance lines, a 5 percent increase over a year ago. Wireless Wireless revenue grew 10 percent compared to the prior year as a result of promotions and successful bundling efforts. Qwest saw the fourth sequential quarter of growth in its wireless subscribers. The company’s subscriber base grew by 14,000 in the quarter, bringing total wireless subscribers to 784,000. The company continues to benefit from wireless in the bundle with approximately 75 percent of wireless subscribers on an integrated bill with at least one other service. This has contributed to significantly lower churn this year. Qwest’s data and enhanced features are driving higher wireless ARPU, which increased 9 percent to $50 from $46 a year ago. The company continues to focus on adding wireless data subscribers and approximately 50 percent of new customers sign up for a data service. DIRECTV® Alliance Customer net additions for DIRECTV service grew 33 percent in the first quarter. Qwest and DIRECTV’s strategic relationship allows Qwest to offer DIRECTV digital satellite television services to residential customers across the Western United States. Enterprise and Wholesale Revenues from Qwest’s enterprise channel, which includes business and government customers, increased 3.3 percent over last year’s results – a benefit of continued growth in data and IP sales. In the quarter, Qwest announced new or expanded networking and voice and data agreements with NASA, Allina Hospitals and Clinics and the State of Wyoming. Qwest is pleased the industry analyst community is beginning to recognize the company’s progress. In the Forrester Research 2005 North American MPLS Services Wave Report (Feb. 14, 2006), Forrester analysts highlighted Qwest's revenue and customer growth, and gave Qwest its top ranking in overall MPLS strategy. Qwest continued to advance its MPLS-based networking capabilities into the marketplace with news that it would offer to its wholesale customers Qwest IP Solutions™ – a wide-area networking solution that simplifies complex data communications.

5

Special Items See Attachment E for special items. Conference Call Today As previously announced, Qwest will host a conference call for investors and the media today at 9 a.m. EDT with Richard C. Notebaert, Qwest chairman and CEO, and Oren G. Shaffer, Qwest vice chairman and CFO. The call can be heard on the Web at www.qwest.com/about/investor/events About Qwest Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of high-speed Internet, data, video and voice services. With nearly 40,000 employees, Qwest is committed to the “Spirit of Service” and providing world-class services that exceed customers’ expectations for quality, value and reliability. For more information, please visit the Qwest Web site at www.qwest.com.

# # #

Forward Looking Statement Note This release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: access line losses due to increased competition, including from technology substitution of our access lines with wireless and cable alternatives, among others; our substantial indebtedness, and our inability to complete any efforts to de-lever our balance sheet through asset sales or other transactions; any adverse outcome of the current investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office in Denver into certain matters relating to us; adverse results of increased review and scrutiny by regulatory authorities, media and others (including any internal analyses) of financial reporting issues and practices or otherwise; rapid and significant changes in technology and markets; any adverse developments in commercial disputes or legal proceedings, including any adverse outcome of current or future legal proceedings related to matters that are or were the subject of governmental investigations, and, to the extent not covered by insurance, if any, our inability to satisfy any resulting obligations from funds available to us, if any; potential fluctuations in quarterly results; volatility of our stock price; intense competition in the markets in which we compete including the likelihood of certain of our competitors consolidating with other providers; changes in demand for our products and services; acceleration of the deployment of advanced new services, such as broadband data, wireless and video services, which could require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels; higher than anticipated employee levels, capital expenditures and operating expenses; adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment affecting our business; changes in the outcome of future events from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies; and our ability to utilize net operating losses in projected amounts. The information contained in this release is a statement of Qwest's present intention, belief or expectation and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and Qwest's assumptions. Qwest may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in Qwest's assumptions or otherwise. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Qwest or persons acting on its behalf may issue. This release may include analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third parties for which Qwest assumes no responsibility. Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements and other statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. By including any information in this release, Qwest does not necessarily acknowledge that disclosure of such information is required by applicable law or that the information is material. The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.

6

Contacts: Media Contact: Investor Contact: Bob Toevs Stephanie Comfort 303-965-6264 800-567-7296

bob.toevs@qwest.com IR@qwest.com